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Kearney, Neb. – Forward Carson Meyer sets individual goals at the beginning of each season, establishing a number of goals, assists and skill traits he hopes to improve on.

“This year I didn’t only reach them, I did way better I thought I would,” Meyer revealed. “I developed this season far more than any other.”

The accomplishments: captured the Clark Cup, tied for fourth in the league with 32 goals, lead the Storm with 51 points, committed to Miami University and represented the United States at the World Jr. A Challenge.

About a month after lifting the Cup, the native of Powell, Ohio is at summer training for Miami University’s hockey team.

“I always wanted to go to Miami and now that I’m actually here, it’s so surreal. I came here at 6 years old and followed camp counselors to [Miami’s home rink] Goggin Ice Center. I looked at the Miami hockey players like heroes.”

Before the season, the 5-foot-11, 184-lb. threat admitted he had never done a media interview. By the end of the playoffs, reporters frequently asked how he engineered the offense.

“Many of those goals were just rebounds, a tap in or a tip,” Meyer said. “That’s the direct effect of somebody else making a play. What if [defenseman] Mattias Goransson hadn’t taken a point shot that I tipped in? If it had bounced wrong, there’s one fewer goal.”

Head Coach Bill Muckalt praised Meyer’s “special” shot and said that it had the potential to be “NHL level”.

At the start of this season, Meyer wasn’t sure if 2015-16 would be his only USHL campaign. He relied on forward Dan Labosky, who played for Colorado College in Fall 2014 and returned to Tri-City from 2014-16.

“Labosky always told me ‘the playoff pace is similar to college hockey ... Depending on how you do in the playoffs you’ll know if you’re ready’,” Meyer said.

In the Clark Cup Playoffs, Meyer said he proved that he could keep up with the pace. The right-handed shot scored five goals and 11 points in 11 games and worked with two different centers, Nico Sturm and Brandon Duhaime.

With less than two minutes to play in Game 3 of the Final, the Storm led, 3-1, and was about to sweep Dubuque. A YouTube video Meyer watched drew parallels to the next moment.

“Duhaime scored the empty netter and we all dove on the bench together. It reminded me of the video I watched of [2015 champion] Sioux Falls diving on each other.

Not long after the put-away tally, it was Meyer’s turn to hoist the 50-pound Clark Cup.

“I didn’t know what to expect with how heavy it was going to be but it was like I almost blacked out. It was weightless when I picked it up.”

Since heading to Oxford, Ohio, home of Miami University, he said his new hockey teammates have congratulated him.

“All your season’s work,” he paused, “even all your life’s work is put into this.”

Tri-City Storm season tickets are available for 2016-17 and can be purchased by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8011.